Displaceability and the Climate Crisis: Addressing the Connections

Challenge being addressed

This research explores how climate change-related policies and governance can impact susceptibility to displacement, a concept known as 'displaceability'. While studies often focus on the act of displacement, displaceability examines the socio-institutional factors and decision-making mechanisms that influence access to - or distancing from - state-guaranteed rights. Combining a systematic literature review, focus group discussions, and a workshop, the research enhances understanding of the climate crisis's role in driving unequal socio-spatial change.

Research impact

By bridging evidence on phenomena such as climate gentrification, land grabbing, and risk-driven evictions, and consolidating a framework for understanding displaceability, the project will contribute to shaping more equitable climate policies and decision-making. It will also highlight case studies that further our understanding of displaceability, building the foundations for a large study on the topic. Critically, this research will connect climate-related displaceability with other factors (housing injustices, digital transitions) that are central to the displaceability agenda.

Funding

UCL Grand Challenges Climate Crisis

Project duration

November 2024 to April 2025

Project team and collaborators

• PI: Dr Thaisa Comelli (RDR, UCL)
• Co-I: Professor Barbara Lipietz (DPU, UCL)

Other collaborators (displaceability network):

• Tim Wickson (UK focus)
• Oren Yiftachel (Middle East focus)
• Iromi Perera (South Asia focus)
• Agnès Deboulet (Europe focus)

Research Assistants:

• Abigail Ewen
• Nadine Coetzee

Additional links

• New Climate Crisis projects awarded Grand Challenges Small Grants funding

Image: Logo created by the project team